The tobacco export of Pakistan has registered consecutive increase since 2001-2002 and if the prevailing pace of growth is maintained during the next two years through market diversification, quality improvement, greater market access and aggressive market the country would achieve a total export in range of US$ 25-30 million by 2005-2007, said a statement of Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) issued here on Saturday.
The statement said that Pakistan has exported 8,270 tons tobacco valuing US$ 11.08 million during financial year 2003-04. The total earnings from export of tobacco and its manufactures amounted to US$ 13.23 million as compared to US$ 6.248 million during 2002-03 and US$ 4.659 million during 2001-2002. The exports during 2003-04 were thus 111.68 percent higher than those of the same period 2002-03.
It said that this impressive growth in exports of Pakistan tobacco indicates the growing popularity and acceptance of Pakistan's products for its world-class quality, standards, consistency and cost competitiveness.
During financial year 2002-03 Pakistan exported 5.49 million kilograms and manufactured cigarettes of value US$ 6.248 million while the value of un-manufactured and manufactured tobacco during 2003-04 remained of worth US$ 13.226 million
The requirements of tobacco crop for the next financial year have been announced as 65.347 million kilograms, which higher than previous year of 63.562 million kilograms.
The projected requirements from tobacco crop 2005 of flue-cured Virginia, dark air-cured, white Patta and Burley are higher by 18.98 percent, 107.12 percent, 120.48 percent and 10.31 percent compared to production and purchase by the tobacco companies during 2004 crop, respectively.
The considerable high requirements, especially in respect of flue-cured Virginia, are indicative of increased cigarette sales in the domestic market, depleted inventories with the manufacturers and a much robust showing on the export front where nearly 8 million kilograms tobacco was exported during 2004.
The Pakistan Tobacco Board announced requirements of 34.836 million kilograms flue-cured Virginia tobacco of the tobacco companies for 2004 crop in November 2003 for information and guidance of tobacco growers to plan tobacco production accordingly and to avoid surplus or shortage of crop.
The projected requirements were lower by 32.11 percent compared to production during 2003 crop. Plantation commenced in March in the plain areas and continued till April in the submontane areas. The crop grew well and according to preliminary survey carried by the board and tobacco companies during the month of April/May, 2004, the estimated production was 52.690 million kilograms.
In some areas the crop was affected by hailstorm, windstorm and virus attacks. However, the actual production turned out to be 50.29 million kilograms. Tobacco purchase commenced in the plain areas from July 1, 2004 while in the submontane areas on the dates fixed by the PTB.
It has a worth to mention that tobacco crop in the submontane matures late by three to four weeks due to climate conditions. The entire crop has been marketed and the growers have received their prices for their production.
The projected requirements for tobacco crop 2004 of dark air-cured and white Patta tobacco were lower by 33.72 percent and 36.56 percent while those of Burley were lower by 1 percent compared to production or purchases by the tobacco companies during 2003 crop, respectively. The plantation commenced in February in the plain areas and continued till April in the submontane areas.
The crop grew well and according to a preliminary survey carried out in April/May, the estimated production was dark air-cured (0.910 million kg), white Patta (10.980 million kg) and Burley (1.970 million kg).
In some areas the Burley crop were affected by virus attacks. Tobacco purchases commenced in July 2004 and continued till October 2004.
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